Conferencing and meeting implementations with advanced features

ABSTRACT

Meeting and conferencing systems and methods are implemented in a variety of manners. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an audio conference system that includes at least one logic circuit and a caller interface involves receiving incoming telephony calls at the caller interface. A logic circuit is used to authenticate incoming telephony calls. Menu options are provided to authenticated, incoming telephony calls. In response to a selection of the menu options, an incoming telephony call is prompted to select a callback number. The logic circuit monitors for a trigger event. A participant is called back using the selected call back number in response to detecting the trigger event. The called-back participant is then placed into a conference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to conferencing and meetingmechanisms and to systems, methods and devices for facilitating meetingsusing audio and/or video conferencing between multiple parties.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

The ability to conduct productive and efficient meetings can be animportant aspect of the success of the related endeavor, whether theendeavor is business, learning or otherwise. Audio conference bridgesprovide a useful tool for remote meetings between multiple individuals.The flexibility allows for people to easily connect from many differentlocations and using different technologies. Individuals can connectusing, for example, land line telephones, cellular telephones,Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) telephones and computer interfaces.This flexibility can be useful for allowing participants to connect fromany number of different locations, with minimal inconvenience.

Scheduling concerns between multiple individuals can be difficult andcan sometimes lead to wasted time and missed opportunities to connect.Participants may enter an audio conference at different times, some canbe early entrants and others late entrants. Participants can also leave(and reenter) the audio conference while it is still in progress, oreven before it begins. Other times a participant may be unsure whetheror not their presence is necessary or may only be needed for certainaspects of the audio conference. Participants can also make mistakes asto the time of an audio conference and forget to call in or call inunnecessarily.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to conferencing solutionsthat address challenges, including those discussed above, and that areapplicable to a variety of conferencing applications, devices, systemsand methods. These and other aspects of the present disclosure areexemplified in a number of implementations and applications, some ofwhich are shown in the figures and characterized in the claims sectionthat follows.

Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method foroperating an audio conference system, that includes at least one logiccircuit and a caller interface, involves receiving incoming telephonycalls at the caller interface. A logic circuit is used to authenticateincoming telephony calls. Menu options are provided to authenticated,incoming telephony calls. In response to a selection of the menuoptions, an incoming telephony call is prompted to select a callbacknumber. The logic circuit monitors for a trigger event. A participant iscalled back using the selected call back number and in response todetecting the trigger event. The called-back participant is placed intoa conference.

Consistent with other embodiments of the present disclosure, an audioconference system comprises a caller interface configured to receiveincoming telephony calls, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit can beconfigured to authenticate incoming telephony calls and to provide menuoptions to authenticated incoming telephony calls. The logic circuit canthen prompt, in response to a selection of the menu options, an incomingtelephony call to select a callback number. The logic circuit can alsomonitor for a trigger event, and callback a participant using theselected call back number and in response to detecting the triggerevent. The logic circuit can place the called-back participant into aconference.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosurein connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a system diagram that includes a number of communicationdevices and an audio conferencing system, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram for the management of an audio conference,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for managing messages for an audioconference, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosureto the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intentionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to conferencing bridgesand related approaches, their uses and systems for the same. While thepresent disclosure is not necessarily limited to such applications,various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciated through adiscussion of examples using this context.

The present disclosure includes a discussion of different audioconferencing systems that provide audio conference bridge functionalityto participants. Unless otherwise specified, the various audioconferencing systems discussed herein can include additional functions(e.g., video services or content/document sharing).

Consistent with particular embodiments of the present disclosure, anaudio conferencing system is configured to provide participants withcallback functionality and/or messaging capabilities. For instance, aparticipant can enter an audio conference by calling into the audioconferencing system using a telephone. The audio conferencing systemprovides the participant with various menu options. One of the menuoptions includes a callback option in which the audio conferencingsystem can contact the participant contingent upon one or more triggerevents. The participant can then disconnect from the audio conferencingsystem and receive a callback upon the occurrence of a trigger event.

As one example embodiment, the participant can request a callback thatis contingent upon the entrance of another participant to the audioconference. Moreover, the first participant can leave a message for theother participant to indicate that they were previously on the audioconference. Upon receipt of the callback, the first participant canrejoin the audio conference.

Consistent with aspects of the present disclosure, an audio conferencingsystem is configured to provide an interface for a first participant tosend a message for other participants to receive without the firstparticipant joining the audio conference. For instance, the firstparticipant can send a text message (e.g., using eithershort-messaging-service (SMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)) oremail to the audio conferencing system. The term SMS is used herein in anon-limiting manner and would implicitly include MMS where appropriate.The audio conferencing system is configured to provide the message tothe other participants. In one implementation, the audio conferencingsystem can perform a text-to-speech conversion and then provide an audioversion of the message to conference participants. This can allow all ofthe participants to be made aware of the message at the same time.

In other implementations, the audio conferencing system can forward theSMS text or email to participants. In such implementations, the audioconferencing system accesses profile data for the participants todetermine how to forward the message (e.g., an SMS to a telephone numberor email to an email address). This can allow the message to bedelivered to various participants without necessarily interrupting theaudio conference. In various other implementations, the message can beforwarded only to a subset of the participants. For instance, some audioconferences are configured as a lecture format where one or moreindividuals takes the lead and do all or most of the speaking. In suchimplementations, there might be hundreds or even thousands ofparticipants. If one of the leading individuals is going to be late, theindividual may wish for the other lead individuals to be notified;however, it might not be desirable to notify the many otherparticipants. Thus, an incoming message from a lead individual can beforward only to other lead individuals.

Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the audioconferencing system can be configured to provide multiple numbers, emailaddresses or other contact addresses that are used to identify whichparticipants are to receive the message. Thus, for the same audioconference, a text message could be sent to a first telephone numberthat indicates that all participants are to receive the message (whetheras an audio message that interrupts the conference or as text messagessent to each individual) and a second telephone number that indicatesonly a subset of participants are to receive the message. The sender ofthe text message can select the appropriate number based upon thedesired recipients.

The audio conferencing system can also be configured to send a messageto a participant that has left the conference. The message can beprovided upon the occurrence of a trigger event. Thus, the participantcan be notified, for example, once another participant has joined theaudio conference. This notification message can be provided via variousdifferent protocols including, but not limited to, text messaging andemail. According to certain embodiments, the text message or email caninclude a link that automatically connects the participant to the audioconference in response to selection of the link by the participant.

Consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the audioconferencing system is configured to allow remote access to the statusof the audio conference without calling the audio conferencing system.For instance, a first participant can send a text message to the audioconferencing system. The audio conferencing system can be configured torespond with an indication of whether or not the audio conference hasbeen joined by any other participants. If no other participants havejoined, the audio conferencing system can respond with such anindication. Thereafter, the first participant can be notified onceanother participant joins. Moreover, the audio conferencing system cancount the first participant as having joined to avoid situations inwhich multiple participants are waiting for someone to join the audioconference.

For instance, the audio conferencing system can receive a text from afirst participant that is requesting a status update. The audioconferencing system responds by indicating that no other participantshave joined the conference. When a second participant sends a similarrequest, however, the audio conferencing system can indicate thatanother participant is (likely) available. The first participant canthen be notified of the existence of another potential participant andboth participants can be encouraged to join the audio conference. Thiscan be particularly useful for allowing a potential participant toeasily indicate availability without needing to first join the audioconference, which can be time consuming and/or expensive due to call-incosts.

Embodiments of the present disclosure recognize that the variousfunctions of the audio conferencing system can be useful for manydifferent situations. For instance, an audio conference can begin with anumber of participants. The audio conference can proceed even thoughanother participant is absent. The other participant, however, might berequired to discuss certain items. The other participant might be caughtup in another meeting that is running late or otherwise unable to callin on-time. It might still be possible for the other participant to senda message (e.g., email or text) to the audio conferencing system to letthe current participants of the audio conference know when the otherparticipant might be able to join (if at all). Thereafter, one or moreof the current participants might disconnect from the meeting, but thenwish to continue with the meeting once the other participant isavailable. The audio conferencing system allows the current participantsto request a callback or other notification once the other participantjoins the audio conference. In this manner, the current participantsneed not stay on the audio conference until the other participant joins,but rather can rejoin in response to the other participant joining theaudio conference.

In another example, one or more current participants might not be neededuntil later in the audio conference. The audio conferencing systemallows these (currently unnecessary) participants to leave the audioconference, while still providing a mechanism for the audio conferencingsystem to callback or otherwise request that they rejoin. When theremaining participants of the audio conference determine that the(previously unnecessary) participants become needed, they can select arejoin option and the audio conferencing system will callback or requestthat the absent participants rejoin the audio conference.

The above examples are not meant to be limiting, and show but a few ofthe possible uses and configurations that are consistent with aspects ofthe present disclosure.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a system diagram thatincludes a number of communication devices and an audio conferencingsystem, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thesystem diagram represents a high level diagram and, due to thecomplexity of the various system components, omits a number of technicaland functional details of the system that would be implicitly understoodas being present. Various different communications devices can connectto an audio conferencing system 116 using different communication pathsand protocols. FIG. 1 depicts a few, non-limiting, examples of suchdifferent communications devices and their associated protocols/paths.

Telephone devices 104 communicate through public-switched-telephonenetwork (PSTN) 102. Telephone devices 104 can include relatively simplecommunications devices that are configured to interface a circuitswitched network (PSTN 102). Telephone devices 104 can transmit andreceive analog signals that represent audio. Telephone devices 104 canuse dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals for control signaling(e.g., telephone number dialing, interactive call menu selection and/ordata entry). Telephone devices 104 can also include more complicatedcommunications devices, such as communications devices configured foruse with an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

Cellular/satellite/wireless devices 108 are configured to communicateusing wireless signaling (e.g., transmitting and receiving data usingradio frequency (RF) signals). Non-limiting examples of wireless devices108 include cellular or satellite telephones, smart telephones and/orlaptop/home/tablet computers configured with cellular capabilities.These devices can communicate by establishing wireless communicationchannels between themselves and a wireless base station 106, such as acellular tower or satellite telephone provider. The wireless basestation 106 can connect to the audio conferencing system 116 throughmultiple paths including, but not necessarily limited to, PSTN 102and/or the Internet 110.

Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices 114 communicate usingpacket-based communications, which can be transmitted over the Internet110. If necessary, a PBX/gateway device 112 can provide additionalfunctionality and/or control. IP PBX servers or similar control devicescan assist in communications to and/or from VoIP devices 114.

Audio conferencing system 116 can include one or more caller interfacesto allow connections from communications devices of audio conferenceparticipants. As discussed herein, audio conferencing system 116 is notnecessarily limited to audio functions and can also provide otherfunctions, such as video, document sharing, desktop sharing, email andtext messaging. The caller interfaces of audio conference system 116 caninclude one or more of a PSTN interface, an IP interface and a cellularinterface. Audio conferencing system 116 can include one or moremessaging interfaces that can receive messages for playback/retrieval by(future or current) participants of an audio conference. These messaginginterfaces can include one or more of a PSTN interface, an IP interfaceand a cellular interface (e.g., for receiving text messages).

Audio conferencing system 116 can provide various call-relatedfunctions, some of which are shown by functional block 118. Thesefunctions can include call in detection 124, which allows the audioconferencing system 116 to determine that an incoming call has beenreceived. This can also include different levels of security andauthentication procedures. Call in options 120 provide a participantwith various options including, but not limited to, a callbackoption/interface 122. If a participant selects the callback option 122,then a callback module 126 can be invoked. Callback module 126 canprovide additional options 128 to a participant and subsequently callthe participant back in response to the detection of a trigger event(e.g., after a new participant enters the meeting).

For instance, a caller may dial a telephone number linked to the audioconferencing system 116. This telephone number could be a generic numberfor the audio conferencing system 116 or a specific number for aspecific audio conference (e.g., where the audio conferencing system 116is associated with several telephone numbers). Upon connection, thecaller could be asked to enter a number identifying the audio conferenceand/or providing authentication information. Call in options 120 canalso provide (e.g., using an interactive voice response unit) the callerwith various options. These options can include muting their voice,announcing their name upon entrance to the audio conference, invitingadditional participants, listing participants in the audio conference,leaving the audio conference, leaving a message for other entrants tothe audio conference and/or requesting a callback upon a trigger event.If the caller selects the callback module, then the audio conferencingsystem 116 can request a number at which the caller can be reached.Alternatively, the audio conferencing system 116 can use informationstored about the caller to use for a callback number. The number can beprovided using automatic number identification (ANI) or from profileinformation of the caller. A caller can be identified (for the purposesof selecting an appropriate profile) using identifying information thatcan include, but is not necessarily limited to, ANI or caller enteredidentification numbers.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the audioconferencing system 116 can be configured to store profile informationfor individual participants. For instance, the audio conferencing system116 can be used by a large company with many different employees. Acontact list of employees can include information such as name,telephone number(s), email, division/position within the company andpreferences for audio conferencing.

Consistent with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the audioconferencing system 116 can provide a graphical user interface (GUI)that can be accessed over the Internet or a similar data network. ThisGUI can facilitate various different selection options for participants.For instance, the GUI can allow a participant to see which otherparticipants were previously connected and/or requested a callback. TheGUI can then be used to initiate a callback to one or more of the otherparticipants. The GUI can also display messages left by otherparticipants (e.g., using an SMS text or email). Another possible optionfor the GUI is to allow a calling participant to select how/when to becalled back. For instance, a calling participant could select aparticular trigger event that will cause the audio conferencing system116 to callback the calling participant. This trigger event could be,but is not limited to, the entrance of any other participant, theentrance of a specific participant (or group of participants) or aprompt from other participants (e.g., indicating that the meeting hasprogressed to a point that presence of the calling participant isdesired).

The GUI need not be limited to such functionality and can providevarious other features. For instance, the GUI can be configured inaccordance with the teaching of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/646,552, filed Dec. 23, 2009 and entitled “Web-Enabled ConferencingAnd Meeting Implementations With Flexible User Calling And ContentSharing Features,” which is fully-incorporated herein by reference.Various other features of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/646,552can also be used in combination with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram for management of an audio conference,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. Conference BridgeAccess 202 is provided for incoming connections to the system. Thisaccess can include, but is not necessarily limited to, incomingtelephony calls (e.g., over PSTN or VoIP connections). Conference BridgeAccess 202 can also be configured to handle other types of incomingmessages 206. These messages can include, but are not necessarilylimited to, SMS, MMS, email or instant messaging services.

In response to detecting an incoming connection/message, the system canauthenticate 204 the message. The authentication can include a number ofdifferent mechanisms. For a received telephony call, the caller can beasked for identification information, such as a conference number and apasscode. Callers can also be authenticated based upon the number fromwhich they call. Callers might also connect using a web-enabledinterface to initiate the connection and the web-enabled interface canverify the user (e.g., by requiring a user name and password). Incomingmessages 206 can be verified using similar mechanisms. For instance, anincoming SMS/MMS text can include a passcode and/or conference bridgenumber in the text content. In particular embodiments, a softwareapplication residing on the mobile device can prompt a user for thisinformation and then format the data according to a protocol accepted bythe conference bridge. In other embodiments, the conference bridge cansearch the content of the text message for the passcode and/orconference bridge. In certain instances, the authentication 204 can beeffectively disabled if the conference bridge is open to any callersthat have the proper call-in number.

If an incoming caller is detected and authenticated 204, the interfacemenu 212 will provide the caller with menu options in the event that theconference is not already in progress 208. If, however, the conferenceis already in progress 208, then the caller can immediately join theconference in progress 208. Although not depicted, the system can alsobe configured to provide a caller with menu options through interfacemenu 212 even when the conference is in progress 208.

Interface menu 212 can be configured to provide a caller with a numberof different interface options. The option paths depicted in FIG. 2 showa few of the many different possible options and are not meant to belimiting. One such option path allows a connecting caller the option ofleaving a message 220. This message will be left for future callersseeking to join into the same conference, which has yet to start. Themessage can be in various forms including, but not limited to, an audiorecording of the participant, a standard message (which can be selectedor simply a default message), a written/text-based message and/or acallback number. The connecting caller can also choose to leave acallback number 222. This allows the connecting caller to receive acallback upon a later trigger event, such as a subsequent callerentering and/or initiating the conference 208. At any point, a callercan choose to leave the conference system and disconnect 228.

Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, once a caller isproperly authenticated, the audio conferencing system can determinewhether or not a previous participant has requested a callback with atrigger event that corresponds to the authenticated caller joining theconference bridge. For instance, the trigger event could be the validentrance of any caller or the entrance of a specific caller.

If the audio conferencing system determines that a callback triggerevent has occurred (e.g., entrance/authentication of a participant),then the audio conferencing system can (optionally) provide anindication that the callback 214 is to occur. For instance, the audioconferencing system can play a recording that explains that a previousparticipant is being brought back into the audio conference. In additionto (or in place of) this indication, the audio conferencing system canplay a recording or other message provided by the previous participant.The audio conferencing system can also provide the entering participantwith an option for the entering participant to select the disconnectedcaller so that they can be called back 214. Alternatively, the audioconferencing system can automatically (without participant prompting)callback 214 (or otherwise contact) the disconnected caller.

In some instances, multiple participants might decide to leave anexisting audio conference. For instance, the meeting might not be ableto proceed until a moderator or some other specific person joins. Theaudio conferencing system can be configured to allow existingparticipants with an option to record a message when leaving theconference.

Another menu option allows participant to select playback/retrieval 218for an existing message. The existing message could have been left by aprevious caller, or could have been a received message 206. After themessage has been provided by the system, the system can allow themessage to be deleted 224 or remain stored/saved 226 for futureplayback/retrieval. For instance, a message might indicate to allincoming callers that the meeting time has been changed. Thus, eachincoming caller would be provided the message, with the system savingthe message for other callers so that they are made aware of the change.The system therefore could also be configured to allow the message to bestored for a given time (e.g., until the new meeting time).

If an incoming message 206 is received and authenticated 204, it will bestored 230 for subsequent playback when there are not any currentcallers in the conference. If, however, there are current callers in theconference, the arrival of a new message can be accompanied by anotification 210. This notification can be, for instance, an audiointerrupt stating that a message has arrived. The notification can alsoindicate how to listen/retrieve the message. The conference can thencontinue 208. If the conference participants choose to listen to themessage (e.g., by activating the menu interface using special keys),then the system can play/retrieve the message 218.

The audio conferencing system can also be configured to allow forcallers to respond to received or stored messages 216. For instance, anindividual might send an SMS text message to a particular conferenceusing the systems messaging interface. The system can be configured toallow connected caller(s) (whether an active participant or a newlyentered participant) to respond to the individual sending the SMS textmessage by sending a reply text message. This message could be selectedfrom pre-stored responses (e.g., “the meeting is in progress,” “you havebeen requested to join meeting XYZ,” or “your presence is not necessaryat meeting XYZ.”) The system can also be configured to allow aparticipant to manually input a desired message (e.g., using theirtelephone key pad). Further options include the ability to send anautomated link to join the conference in the message. By selecting thelink, the receiving individual can be directed to the conference withoutthe need to dial the required number manually.

The specific flow of FIG. 2 is not meant to be limiting and should beunderstood to be modifiable in a manner that is consistent with expressand implied embodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for handling messages for an audioconference, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.Consistent with various embodiments, a participant that is not connectedto the audio conference can leave a message for other participants. Inone embodiment, the message can be left after a user joins the audioconference, but decides to leave (e.g., requesting a callback if otherparticipants join the audio conference). In other embodiments, themessage can be provided without first joining the audio conference. Forinstance, an individual might be unable to make the predeterminedmeeting time and yet wishes to notify other participant(s) of thisproblem.

The audio conferencing system can receive the incoming message (e.g.,SMS text, audio recording/file, email and/or input from a GUI/website).The audio conferencing system can then (optionally) determine the sourceof the message and/or authenticate the message at position 302. Theaudio conferencing system can also determine whether the message isintended for an audio conference that is already established, or for anaudio conference that has not yet been established. If the audioconferencing system determines that the message is intended for anestablished audio conference, the audio conferencing system can notifycurrent participants of an incoming message at position 304.

The audio conferencing system can be configured to automatically providethe message or to allow the current participants to select when themessage is provided. In the latter case, the audio conferencing systemresponds to input from participants by playing the message at position306. The audio conferencing system 312 can be configured to delete themessage at position 316. The audio conferencing system can automaticallydelete the message or delete the message in response to a participantselecting a deletion option.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the audio conferencingsystem is configured to allow the participants to indicate that themessage providing participant should be connected with a call (orcallback as the case may be), which corresponds to position 308. Forinstance, the message may indicate that a participant is currentlyavailable and would like to join when the current meeting participantsbeing to discuss a certain topic.

If the audio conferencing system determines that no audio conference hasbeen established, the message can be stored at position 310. Thereafter,the audio conferencing system can wait for a new connection by aparticipant.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the audioconferencing system is configured to provide/play the message to one ormore entering participants at position 314. Other embodiments, however,contemplate that the audio conferencing system is configured todetermine whether a connecting participant is different from theoriginal, message-leaving participant. If the audio conferencing systemdetermines that the connecting participant is different, then the audioconferencing system can provide/play the message to one or more enteringparticipants at position 314. If, however, the audio conferencing systemdetermines that the entering participant is the same as the original,message-leaving participant, then the message need not be played and caneven be deleted at position 316.

Aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented using a variety ofprocessing/logic circuits, communications arrangements and combinationsthereof. Particular implementations can use one or more speciallyconfigured computer processors that execute instructions to perform oneor more of the aspects discussed herein. Various portions can beimplemented using discrete or combinatorial logic, analog circuitry andvarious forms of tangible/non-transitory (computer-readable) storagemediums.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the disclosure.Based upon the above discussion and illustrations, those skilled in theart will readily recognize that various modifications and changes may bemade to the present disclosure without strictly following the exemplaryembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein. Forexample, the methods, devices and systems discussed herein may beimplemented in connection with a variety of technologies such as thoseinvolving home computers, servers, laptops, cellular phones, personaldigital assistants, iPhones®, Blackberries® and the like. The disclosuremay also be implemented using a variety of approaches, such as thoseinvolving VoIP, cellular and landline telephone connections. Suchmodifications and changes do not depart from the true spirit and scopeof the present disclosure, including that set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. An audio conference system comprising: a callerinterface circuit configured to receive incoming telephony calls; and acomputer processor circuit configured and arranged to provide aninterface for receipt of incoming messages via the caller interfacecircuit by identifying, for an incoming message, a particular audioconference; storing the incoming message in response to the particularaudio conference being unestablished; in response to a participant,other than a source of the message, joining the particular audioconference, providing menu options for accepting the message and forjoining the source of the message to the particular audio conference;and in response to a participant that is the source of the messagejoining the particular audio conference, deleting the stored message. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the providing the interface for receiptof incoming messages by the computer processor circuit further includes:notifying participants of the particular audio conference that theincoming message is available; providing, to participants of theparticular audio conference, menu options for accepting the message; andplaying, in response to selection of an option from the menu options,the incoming message in the particular audio conference.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the computer processor circuit is further configuredand arranged to identify the particular audio conference based upon adestination telephone number specified by the incoming message.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the incoming message is a text-based messageand wherein the computer processor circuit is configured to apply atext-to-speech conversion of the text-based message.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the computer processor circuit is further configured tocall, in response to selection of the option to add the source of themessage to the particular audio conference, the source of the message,and connect the source of the message to the particular audioconference.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the incoming message is atext-based message and the computer processor circuit is furtherconfigured to authenticate the incoming message using a passcodecontained within text content of the incoming message.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the computer processor circuit is further configured todisable the authentication in response to the particular audioconference being open to any callers that use a particular call-innumber.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the menu options include anoption for accepting the message with an interrupt indicating that amessage has arrived in response to the message being received while theparticular audio conference is ongoing.
 9. A method comprising:receiving, at a caller interface circuit, incoming telephone calls;establishing, using a computer processor circuit, audio conferences forthe incoming telephone calls; identifying, using the computer processorcircuit and for an incoming message, a particular audio conference fromthe audio conferences; storing the incoming message in response to theparticular audio conference being unestablished; in response to aparticipant, other than a source of the message, joining the particularaudio conference, providing menu options for accepting the message; andin response to a participant that is the source of the message joiningthe particular audio conference, deleting the stored message.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising, notifying, using the computerprocessor circuit, participants of the particular audio conference thatthe incoming message is available; providing, using the computerprocessor circuit and to participants of the particular audio conferenceprocess, menu options for accepting the message; and playing, using thecomputer processor circuit and in response to selection of an optionfrom the menu options, the incoming message in the particular audioconference.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the identifying theparticular audio conference is based upon a destination telephone numberspecified by the incoming message.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereinthe incoming message is a text-based message and further comprisingperforming a text-to-speech conversion of the text-based message. 13.The method of claim 9, wherein the menu options include an option to adda source of the message to the particular audio conference; and calling,using the computer processor circuit and in response to selection of theoption to add the source of the message to the particular audioconference, the source of the message, and connecting the source of themessage to the particular audio conference.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the incoming message is a text-based message and furthercomprising authenticating, using the computer processor circuit, theincoming message using a passcode contained within text content of theincoming message.
 15. The method of claim 9, further including the stepof providing an audio interrupt stating that a message has arrived. 16.The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing menu optionsincludes the step of providing an option for joining the source of themessage to the particular audio conference.
 17. A method comprising:receiving, at a caller interface circuit, incoming telephone calls;establishing, using a computer processor circuit, audio conferences forthe incoming telephone calls; identifying, using the computer processorcircuit and for an incoming message, a particular audio conference fromthe audio conferences; storing the incoming message in response to theparticular audio conference being unestablished; in response to aparticipant, other than a source of the message, joining the particularaudio conference, providing menu options for accepting the message andfor joining the source of the message to the particular audio conferenceand providing an audio interrupt stating that a message has arrived; andin response to a participant that is the source of the message joiningthe particular audio conference, deleting the stored message.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further including using the computer processorcircuit to place multiple participants in the particular audioconference and to allow the participant to call back the multipleparticipants in response to the participant calling to join theparticular audio conference.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein theincoming telephony calls are received at a Voice-over Internet Protocol(VoIP) interface, and further including receiving text-based messagesand identifying participants in the particular audio conference that areto receive the text-based message.
 20. The system of claim 1, whereinthe caller interface circuit includes a Voice-over Internet Protocol(VoIP) interface, the interface includes a messaging interfaceconfigured to receive text-based messages and to identify participantsin the particular audio conference that are to receive the text-basedmessages.